For Ottawa’s eco-conscious commuters, the Rideau Canal Skateway is more than a winter wonderland—it is a carbon-free alternative to a struggling transit system.
As winter arrives, the city’s transit system frequently struggles with snowstorms and heavy traffic. Travellers may encounter various road disruptions that make their commutes more inconvenient, leading some to switch to alternative transit options to avoid city traffic.
Stretching from downtown Ottawa to Hartwells Locks, the Rideau Canal Skateway isn’t just a tourist attraction; it is a vital winter artery.
For commuters like Ardyn Nordstrom, it’s a time-saver. At 5 p.m. on a Wednesday, Nordstrom was seen changing into her skates near Carleton University, preparing to skate back to Centretown.
“It’s five kilometres from my starting point to my destination. It takes me about 25 minutes,” Nordstrom said, “Skating is faster, because from downtown, if I take the train, it’s like a 45-minute train ride there and back or one way.”
The National Capital Commission’s written response pointed out sensor data confirms that staircases near the University of Ottawa are among the most heavily used access points.
The NCC’s sensor data further highlights the strategic importance of campus-linked access points. Concord ranks as the fifth-busiest entrance overall, with over 23,000 visits this season, followed by Somerset East in ninth place with approximately 12,500 visits.
According to NCC, peak-hour traffic across different entrances has a different pattern on weekdays. Mackenzie West has three distinct peaks: a steady rise from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m., another brief increase around midday, and its highest activity between 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
According to the NCC, this distribution most closely aligns with typical commuter traffic.
“We’re very lucky to live in a city where skating to work is an option. I do it because it’s beautiful, fun and a good workout,” Nordstrom said.
However, climate change has made these seasons increasingly unpredictable. The urgency of these climate adaptation measures follows a historic low in 2022–2023, when the Skateway failed to open for the first time in its history. Since then, the season has ranged from a brief 10-day window in 2023–2024 to a robust 52-day season this past season.
To address shorter winters, the NCC has partnered with Carleton University since 2022 to develop adaptation strategies, such as high-tech monitoring of water temperatures and improved drainage management.
“We continue to explore various innovations to secure and possibly extend the Skateway season,” the NCC stated in a written response.
When the Skateway is unavailable, Nordstrom remains an active commuter year-round. While biking peaks in Ottawa between May and September along the O-Train and Canal pathways, she continues to cycle through the winter months when the ice isn’t ready. For her, the difference in efficiency is negligible.
“I like an active commute. It’s like the perfect way to end your day,” Nordstrom said.
Gabrielle Bisson, a University of Ottawa student, primarily commutes by O-Train from Orleans to downtown. While she enjoys skating to campus for fun, her daily transit experience is delayed.
“Usually, I take Line 1 from uOttawa to go back home. OC Transpo isn’t very convenient; it gets delayed,” Bisson said. “I have transfers often, and they won’t match. Skating is probably more convenient—at least I get ready for the cold.”
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